'Spiking' is on the increase, says St Helens councillor

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A St Helens councillor's told MPs the number of spiking cases on nights out is being underreported. Councillor Jeanie Bell was one of a number of experts giving evidence to the Commons Home Affairs Committee this week. She said that victims and premises are "reluctant" to report cases, despite the overall number of incidents rising in the past few months. The committee heard that victims are "predominantly" but "not exclusively" women aged between 18 and 25, with mostly male offenders. Mps were also told needle spiking has become more common post-lockdown. Councillor Jeanie Bell was speaking in her role as a member of the Local Government Association's safer and stronger communities' board.